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Hofstra University students are supposed to think again before lighting up a cigarette on South Campus. But, many don’t. Despite the smoking ban that went into effect last spring, many students continue to light cigarettes on their walk to class.
“The problem with the smoking ban is while people know about it, there’s no one that really enforces it,” said Zoe Hoffman, a resident assistant at Hofstra University. During last year’s winter break, the university sent out emails to all students, notifying them of the smoking ban on the south side of campus. However, by the time students returned to school for spring semester, administration of the ban were scarce.

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“It is to be enforced by the appropriate jurisdiction,” said Billy Finnegan, member of the University Senate, which was responsible for the placement of the ban on campus. The ban was first implemented on a trial basis. The university hoped for community policing, but after almost a year, some students are reluctant to participate in the ban and its enforcement.
“I still see people smoking on this side of campus,” said one Hofstra student. After a simple stroll around campus, it is apparent that there is a lack of “non-smoking” signs on the south side of campus, especially in the popular smoking areas. There are “non-smoking” signs located at every entrance to the campus, signs not much larger than a sheet of paper. The location of the signs plays a major role in their effectiveness. If no one sees the signs, how are they going to comply with them?
Many believe the system will continue to be ineffective if there is no new way to implement the ban. With the participation of public safety and an increase in signs in popular smoking areas, the smoking ban could be more operational.